Tuesday, September 28, 2004

If you're a mouse and you smoke pot, you may have a higher risk of an ectopic pregnancy. So. Cut. It. Out.

An interesting speculation in the article is the possible connection between the cannabinoid receptor 1 (CB1) found in the fallopian tube and a new drug for the treatment of obesity (a CB1 antagonist) now in a phase III clinical trial.

Briefly, CB1 receptors are found in the fallopian tube. In order for the tube to work properly (to transport the fertilized egg to the uterus in a timely manner), it appears you need functioning CB1 receptors. However, a drug with CB1 antagonist properties (you'd take this drug to treat obesity) can cause the CB1 receptor to stop functioning. If that happens, the egg transport in the fallopian tube is slowed down, hence the increased risk of an ectopic pregnancy. Bottom line: something to ponder, in case you run out of topics. Otherwise, no need to fret yet. We don't even know if the pot and mice data apply to humans.